Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Zip Racer - Episode 2
The countdown hit zero and the fourteen racers shot forwards, weaving in and out of each other at ferocious speeds, already competing for first place. Kiki left the other racers behind almost instantly, but Heart was already on her tail. When it came to the last stretch, Kiki knew well it was going to be a fight. Pure board on board war. That was the way it was last time, and her inexperience at “board bashing” had lost her the race. But not this time. This time she would win. She could taste it. Jackson was a good racer, but she wasn’t worried. His Racemaster was very strong and sturdy, but Kiki’s Zipper had the speed and manoeuvrability of a dragonfly. If he wanted to knock her off her board, he’d have to catch her first.
Kiki was a natural. So much so that Jackson Heart was the only person ever to beat her. Except, of course, for Dax. He had been a mechanic for the Santa Liza racetrack when Kiki and Nina first started going there. (Jinx had not yet moved to Santa Liza). They were sitting in the shade of the mech shed on a Saturday afternoon, talking about the six packs on the young mechanics, when he walked over and challenged Kiki to a race. If he won, he got to take her out on a date. It may have been cheesy, but it worked. He won the race and they had been going out for almost two years. Kiki still insists that she let him win.
Back in the race, she was doing well. Heart was ahead of her, the giant winged heart on the back of his jacket showing the true size of his over-inflated ego. There was no point in trying to get ahead of him this early. She’d just be wasting engine fuel and her own energy. She could tell he was getting cocky though. Just to make sure, she tapped the speed pad with her foot and brought her speed up a notch. Now she was level. She smirked at him through the flying dust, doing a couple of trick manoeuvres just to get the point across. She wasn’t sure if he recognised her, but he got the message. He revved his engine, returning the smirk. “Idiot.” She thought. Revving the engine on a zip board did nothing but make noise and waste fuel. And she used to admire this amateur. Now, he was nothing more than a prat with a logo and board.
They rounded a bend, and the final stretch was in site. As soon as they entered the gorge, sensors would be triggered and an alarm would sound. This was the signal that the board bashing could begin. The gorge was lined with thick forest and scree covered slopes, with a river flowing through it. Not really a place you want to fall off your board. As soon as the alarm sounded, Jackson swooped in, slamming his board in Kiki’s. The shock rattled her and sent her hurtling towards the wall of the gorge. At the last second, she pulled off a tricky break turn and flew at Heart, smashing into the side of his board and taking the lead. She could hear the gorge camera’s swivelling in their cradles as she passed, and thought of Nina and Jinx, who would undoubtedly be watching on the jumbo screens above the finish line. She could hear Jackson behind her, urging his board on. He was catching up. “We’ll see about that.” She thought, pulling her board upwards and out of the gorge, her hair forming a chestnut stream behind her as she accelerated. She could see the finish line now, could see her victory. She was brought back to the now with a heavy thump that sent her jolting forwards. Heart had slammed into the back of her board. But Kiki’s balance was impeccable, and she didn’t so much as move a foot. What’s more, the jolt pushed her further ahead, giving her a clear lead. All she had to do is hold it for a little longer…
A cheer erupted as the winner crossed the line. Kiki leapt from her board in triumph the second she was clear. Her face filled the screens and the caption read “Krashin’ Kiki wins again!” Nina and Jinx dived on her as soon as she was off the board. She had beaten him. The only guy that had ever won against her. Except of course for Dax, but, as Kiki insisted, that didn’t count.
Jackson made his way over to her as soon as the cheering had stopped and Nina and Jinx had let her go. “Good race.” He said, holding out his hand. Kiki shook it, perfect in her part as the humble winner. “You too.”
“You’ve really improved at the board bashing. That was you I raced here a year ago, wasn’t it?” Kiki put on her best puzzled face. “Oh, have we raced before? Sorry, I don’t think I remember.” She turned, took the arms of her friends, and left Heart to tend to his bruised ego.
Nina imitated her as they walked away from the track. “Oh, have we raced before? Sorry, I can’t remember. Ha! Can’t remember? You’ve only been looking for a rematch for the last YEAR!!” Jinx laughed. “Well, it was a memorable race. When you’re used to wins the losses stand out a lot. Heart is the only guy ever to beat her.” Nina giggled. “Well, I don’t care who he’s beaten, or lost to. He’s still the hottest guy racer on the track.” Now Kiki had to speak. “Hey, what about Dax?” Nina looked at her. “You’re not still hung up on HIM are you? He’s been gone for a whole month!” Kiki sighed. “He’s gone to try out for the pro leagues, who knows how long the heats will take? Besides, he promised he’d send a message, either telling me to come out or that he was coming back. I trust him.” Jinx snorted. “What?!” Kiki was getting pissed off now. “Come on K, he takes up your dream and then doesn’t even let you come and watch? Seems a little mean to me.” Kiki shook her head. “He was offered a spot in the pro heats, not me. And I didn’t go because I had important races here. If I don’t show that I’m a good amateur, I’ll never even be considered.”
Jinx and Nina looked guilty. “We’re sorry K, we know you miss him. And it’s your dream to go pro. We’re just trying to look out for you.” Nina nodded in agreement. “Yeah, no one screws with us three.” Jinx smiled. “Well, not if they know what’s good for them, anyway!” The three girls laughed and headed towards the bar.

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